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However, he said, a Wilko store receipt dated April 4, for a £28 set of five copper-effect knives in a block, was found at the home of Stretton’s girlfriend in Hamilton – and only four matching copper-effect knives could be located.

The police obtained an identical set and the fifth missing knife – described as a 7.5 inch slicing knife – was shown to the pathologist who carried out Mr William’s post-mortem and a forensic scientist.

Mr House said they had concluded: “A knife of the same dimension may well have caused the injury and damaged to Isaac’s clothing.”

An eye-witness claimed to have seen Garner with a different black-handled knife.

“The conclusion is that both had a knife,” said Mr House.

He added: “This wasn’t a chance encounter.”

Mural in Short Street in memory of Isaac Williams who died as a result of a stab injury in April (Image: Alex Hannam)

The prosecution allege it was a revenge attack because on November 28 last year Stretton was stabbed nine times to the neck, head and face on Dysart Way, in the city.

He suffered life-threatening injuries, but survived.

Mr House claimed that Mr Williams was “targeted” because he was friends with the brother of one of three people who were arrested on suspicion of involvement in attacking Stretton.

The court heard that Stretton declined to make a statement or give a DNA sample to assist the inquiry.

Det Chief Insp Christopher Baker, senior investigating officer of the attack on Stretton, told the court the incident involved “the coming together of two groups.”

Stretton said: “I’m not a snitch” when first asked to make a formal complaint.

The officer added: “He also said if he did make a statement there would be retribution, particularly against himself and his girlfriend.”